Funding entity Comisión Europea
Participated by UNIVERSIDAD PONTIFICIA COMILLAS, 8D | RESEARCH DESIGN IMPACT, CENTRO DE INVESTIGACAO EM ENERGIA REN - STATE GRID SA, WATT-IS SA, COOPERATIVE ELECTRICA DO VALE DESTE CRL, PHOEBE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION LTD, GOWI CUSTOMER CENTRICITY SL, UNIVERSIDAD DE LA IGLESIA DE DEUSTO ENTIDAD RELIGIOSA, UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS, ASWAN UNIVERSITY, FONDAZIONE DELLE COMUNITA´ DEL MEDITERRANEO SOSTENIBILI E SOLIDALI PER L´INCLUSIONE E L´ACCOGLIENZA, SINLOC-SISTEMA INIZIATIVE LOCALI SPA, FINNOVAREGIO, ZABALA INNOVATION CONSULTING SA
The transition to renewable energy, particularly through the widespread adoption of distributed solar PV systems, is hindered by significant technical, social, financial, and regulatory barriers. Key challenges include energy poverty and inequality, especially in Mediterranean regions where inefficient housing and rental systems exacerbate the issue. Limited awareness, bureaucratic hurdles, and inadequate financial incentives further slow adoption, while integrating decentralized renewable energy into existing communities remains complex. Unlocking the full potential of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) requires clear benefits, accessible financial tools, and innovative technologies to enhance the efficiency and longevity of PV systems.
SOCIAREM accelerate the adoption and profitability of PV systems within RECs by overcoming these barriers through an innovative, implementable solution integrated with collective self-consumption schemes. The project develop advanced tools tailored to diverse socio-economic and geographical contexts, enhancing efficiency, minimizing energy losses, and maximizing renewable energy use. Blockchain-enabled platforms facilitate secure, decentralized peer-to-peer energy sharing, improving energy autonomy and resilience. Inclusive social data spaces ensure fair energy distribution while safeguarding privacy, addressing energy vulnerability, and promoting social equity. Citizen engagement is fostered through gamification and educational tools, ensuring participation across different cultural and behavioural profiles. A consortium of universities, R&D centres, and companies drive SOCIAREM’s development, ensuring strong scientific and market expertise. The project’s solutions is tested in four European RECs—Switzerland, Cyprus, Portugal, and Italy—while incorporating insights from Egypt. By reaching TRL7, SOCIAREM validate its tools’ effectiveness, providing a scalable and sustainable model for RECs.
Layman's summary: SOCIAREM boosts solar energy in local communities by tackling energy poverty, using blockchain for secure sharing, and promoting citizen engagement. Tested in 4 countries, it offers scalable tools for fair, efficient, and inclusive energy use.
Techniques employed: Optimization, Gamification, Python, Coordination
SOCIAREM
